Luis Suarez bites Chiellini, FIFA starts investigation - PHOTOS

In a statement on its website, football's international governing body invited Suarez and the Uruguayan FA to provide any evidence in the player's defence by the end of today.

It said Fifa's Disciplinary Committee has the power to sanction serious infringements which have escaped the match officials’ attention.

Suarez horrified football fans around the world after appearing to sink his teeth into Chiellini's shoulder during Tuesday night's Group D clash between Uruguay and Italy.

It initially looked as though Suarez had tried to head-butt the Italy defender as the pair tussled in the Italy penalty area, with the score 0-0 and Uruguay 12 minutes from going out of this World Cup.

TV replays showed Suarez's had bitten Chiellini, while the Italian confirmed he had been bitten, pulling down his shirt to reveal fresh teethmarks in his skin.

This is the THIRD time Suarez has bitten an opponent , following an episode in Holland when he was playing for Ajax, and the infamous April 2013 incident with Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic, for which the Anfield forward received a 10-match ban.